Device for protecting golf clubs

ABSTRACT

A device for protecting sports equipment in an elongated transporting receptacle, such as a golf bag. The device includes a protective top ring and at least three support poles which extend from the top ring. The support poles are spaced equidistant from one another, and a connection is provided for each of the support poles to the top ring. The top ring includes a plurality of spaced cavities in which the support poles are inserted. The poles include length determination for aiding the user in providing a proper length for the poles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to sports equipment, and in particular to a device for protecting sports equipment in an elongated transporting receptacle, such as a golf bag.

The proliferation of golf courses around the world has led to an equal proliferation of travel of golfers, with their equipment, sometimes over long distances. When transport is by airplane, golf equipment, like any other luggage, is transported in the cargo hold, and is subject to rough treatment. Since good quality golf equipment is becoming more and more expensive, it is important that the golf clubs be adequately protected during travel.

Various types of travel protection have been developed for golf clubs. For example, special containers have been made in which the golf equipment, including the golf bag, are inserted and protected during travel. While the protection afforded by such devices is quite good, the devices are expensive, bulky and simply add more to the sometimes considerable collection of luggage that a golfer must transport. Prior devices, such as a hood, which is attached to the upper collar of a golf bag provides some protection from scratching and marring, but provides little impact protection.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,465 provides an accessory for a golf bag for protection the golf clubs. However, due to the configuration of the accessory with an essentially bullet-shaped skeleton, the protection is only partial, particularly for golf club in the outer portion of the golf bag, and the device can greatly lengthen the overall dimension of the golf bag, simply adding to its bulk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a device for protecting sports equipment from damage while it is transported in an elongated transporting receptacle, such as a golf bag. The device comprises a protective top ring, and at least three support poles extending from the top ring. The support poles are spaced essentially equidistant from one another. A connection is provided for each support pole to the top ring.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the top ring includes a plurality of spaced cavities, and the connection comprises a fixed insertion of one of the support poles in each cavity. The fixed insertion can comprise any means of doing so, such as adhesively securing of the support poles, welding, such as sonic welding of the support poles, threadably securing of the support poles in the cavities, force-fitting of the support poles in the cavities, or otherwise.

In the preferred form of the invention, four of the support poles are provided, although more can be provided if additional protection is desired. Preferably, the support poles are hollow for light weight. Also, it is preferred that the support poles be provided with length determination, so that the user can sever the poles to suit. In one form of the invention, the length determination comprises spaced indicia marked on the support poles. In another form of the invention, the length determination comprises spaced notches in a support poles. In either form of the invention, the user can cut or break away desired portions of the support poles so that they are of desired length. The customization therefore can eliminate undue elongation of the golf bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in greater detail in the following description of examples embodying the best mode of the invention, taken in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is top perspective view of the device according to the invention, when installed in an elongated transporting receptacle such as a golf bag,

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the device according to the invention when removed from, and next to, the golf bag,

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the device according to the invention,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top perspective view of the device according to the invention,

FIGS. 5A through 5C are perspective views of various forms of the protective top ring,

FIGS. 6A through 6D are side elevational illustrations of the respective top rings of FIGS. 5A through 5D,

FIGS. 7A through 7D are side elevational illustrations of the opposite sides from those illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6D to show symmetry, and

FIGS. 8A through 8D are bottom plan views of the respective top rings of FIGS. 5A through 5D.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES EMBODYING THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

A protective device according to the invention is shown generally at 10 in the drawing figures. The protective device 10 comprises as basic elements, a top ring 12 and a series of elongated support poles 14. The protective device 10 is formed to be installed in an elongated transporting receptacle, such as a conventional golf bag 16, shown filled with a series of golf clubs in a conventional fashion.

The top ring 12 is preferably molded from plastic, and although it is shown as a generally circular structure, it can be any appropriate shape, such as square, rectangular, oval or the like. As shown in the drawing figures, which depict only the round version of the top ring 12, there is provided a connection of each of the support poles 14 to the top ring 12. While the connection can be a direct connection of the poles to a flat under surface of the top ring 12 (see FIG. 8C), for the most robust structure, the top ring 12 includes a series of spaced cavities 18 into which the support poles 14 are inserted. Due to the geometry of the ring 12, the cavities are necessarily reflected in cap-like protrusions 20 from the top ring 12.

The support poles 14 are also preferably plastic, although they may be formed of other materials such as metal or wood. The support poles 14 are inserted in the cavities 18 by any known means, such as by adhesives, welding such as sonic welding, threading of the support poles and threaded insertion into the cavities 18, force-sitting of the support poles in the cavities 18, or the like. Preferably the poles 14, for weight purposes, are hollow, although they may also be solid.

The poles 14 are of sufficient length so that the protective device 10, when installed in a golf bag 16, will project the vast majority of club lengths. However, the user may choose to shorten the lengths of the poles 14, and to that end the poles 14 are provided with length determination 22, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The length determination can comprised spaced indicia marked on the support poles 14, spaced notches in the support poles 14, or the like. The support poles 14 can then be shortened by severing or breaking away desired portions of the support poles, as appropriate. The invention can therefore accommodate various club lengths and sizes of golf bags 16, by simply having the support poles 14 at a desired length.

As shown in FIGS. 5 through 8, the top ring 12 can have many different configurations, and they are shown as rings 12.1 through 12.4. As explained above, it is not mandatory that the top ring 12 be circular, but that it preferred, given the nature of the typical golf bag. If the shape of the golf bag warrants or the desires of the user warrant, the shape of the top ring 12 can be different, as desired.

It is preferred that the top ring 12 have the cavities 18 for accommodating the support poles 14 to form a unitary and robust structure. However, the top ring 12.3 is shown with a flat bottom, as shown in FIG. 8C, and the connection between the support poles 14 and the top ring 12.3 would be at the flat bottom surface by gluing, welding or otherwise affixing the two together. Other means of securing the support poles 14 to the top ring 12, whether the top ring 12 has a flat bottom such as the ring 12.3 or pole-accepting cavities 18, such as the top rings 12.1, 12.2 and 12.4, will be evident to one skilled in the art so long as a robust structure ultimately results.

The term “ring” when used in connection with the top ring 12 is intended to be more than just a circular structure, as described above. The shape of the top ring 12 may vary, and the ring still envelope and protect golf clubs and the like in a golf bag. The term “ring” should therefore be understood to be inclusive rather than exclusive.

It is preferred that the support poles 14 are spaced equidistant from one another to provide adequate protection to whatever is in the elongated transporting receptacle such as the golf bag 16. However, in some instances it may be desired or required to alter the spacing somewhat given the geometry of the elongated transporting receptacle.

Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof or scope of the following claims. 

1. A device for protecting sports equipment in an elongated transporting receptacle, the device comprising a. a protective top ring, b. at least three support poles extending from said top ring, said support poles being spaced essentially equidistant from one another, and c. a connection of each support pole to said top ring.
 2. The device according to claim 1, in which said top ring includes a plurality of spaced cavities, and said connection comprises a fixed insertion of one of said support poles in each cavity.
 3. The device according to claim 2, in which said fixed insertion comprises adhesive securing of said support poles.
 4. The device according to claim 2, in which said fixed insertion comprises welding of said support poles.
 5. The device according to claim 2, in which said fixed insertion comprises threaded securing of said support poles.
 6. The device according to claim 2, in which said fixed insertion comprises force-fitting of said support poles.
 7. The device according to claim 1, including four of said support poles.
 8. The device according to claim 1, in which said support poles are hollow.
 9. The device according to claim 1, including length determination for said support poles.
 10. The device according to claim 9, in which said length determination comprises spaced indicia marked on said support poles.
 11. The device according to claim 9, in which said length determination comprises spaced notches in said support poles.
 12. A device for protecting sports equipment in an elongated transporting receptacle, the device comprising a. a protective top ring, said top ring including a plurality of spaced cavities, b. at least three support poles extending from said top ring, said support poles being spaced essentially equidistant from one another, c. a fixed insertion of one of said support poles in each of said spaced cavities, and d. length determination for said support poles.
 13. The device according to claim 12, in which said fixed insertion comprises adhesive securing of said support poles.
 14. The device according to claim 12, in which said fixed insertion comprises welding of said support poles.
 15. The device according to claim 12, in which said fixed insertion comprises threaded securing of said support poles.
 16. The device according to claim 12, in which said fixed insertion comprises force-fitting of said support poles.
 17. The device according to claim 12, including four of said support poles.
 18. The device according to claim 12, in which said support poles are hollow. 